can more graduated seniors do "actual results" threads?

[mrsopresident]

CaliDreamin:

hey, don't let anything get to you. people expect these top schools to only accept applicants with near-perfect SAT/ACT scores, seemingly forgetting that standardized testing is only one part of the application. then, as if having some sense of entitlement, many (and i'm talking about my life experience, not anyone from this thread in particular) curse the university for not taking them as well as bad-mouthing you for "stealing" their spot.

i remember when i got into cornell last year and one of the dean's at my school son didn't get in. i heard it from my COSA and this dean that cornell's decision was "disgusting!" how, they said, could this kid (who btw had a higher gpa and standardized test scores than me) be "denied admission to cornell??" little did these people know, or maybe they did know but just didn't care, that by saying these things they were basically delivering verbal slaps to my face each and every day.

now why didn't cornell take this dean's son?? maybe they saw something in him that they didn't like? who knows. but lets just say that i ended up getting a higher first semester gpa than this kid did at his eventual college (a college in maryland which shall go unnamed). basically, when it all boils down, all that matters is what you make of your college years (gpa, etc.) stanford obviously felt that you were a qualified applicant or else they would not have accepted you : )

[LAC-Bound]

Sorry, I didn't mean to enter the above, and now I can't delete it.

[MissBarbara]

Accepted: Arizona State (rolling), Michigan (rolling), UChicago (EA), Penn (ED Wharton: will attend)

Withdrew my applications to UC Berkeley, UCLA, and USC :-)

Asian Female from Arizona
4.0 GPA, 11/675 rank (actually 2nd; 10 valedictorians)
2380 SAT
AP Scholar with Distinction (5 5's, 4 on Chem... and Calc AB subscore, lmao)
National Merit Semifinalist (as of yet)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 Chinese, 750 Spanish

Speech Captain in Speech and Debate
Founded my own club (random acts of kindness)
Student Council Elections Supervisor
Associate Editor of school literary magazine
Violinist in community orchestra
Autistic center volunteer
Reading buddy at local library :-D
Congressional intern (...twice)

My essays were cute. Yes, cute is the best word for them. My recommendations were good, I'm sure.

Looking back (because now, I can look back), I would say that I was just really, really lucky. The admissions process was somehow a breeze for me, and quite frankly, I'm not sure I know why. Overall, I worked hard at my academics, but took time to volunteer or join clubs that truly interested me. I didn't try to do extraordinary things like "feed orphans in Africa"- I just did the best I could with modest activities. If I hadn't been accepted to Chicago or Penn, I would've kept on applying but not been discouraged, because I'm proud of all of my accomplishments, and would have been no matter where I ended up. I hope that everyone is able to say that about their high school experience.

And now I'm going to Wharton! Hooray! :-D

[ColdEggNog]

Well, I applied to UNC-Chapel Hill where I was mostly told that I wouldn't get in, because I have the numbers, but pretty much nothing else.. my recommendation was probably mediocre and I had one fairly good essay and one that wasn't so good, and I have essentially no EC's. I got in.

[kyledavid80]

I didn't try to do extraordinary things like "feed orphans in Africa"- I just did the best I could with modest activities.

You have "modest activities" and you were "lucky"? With a 2380 on the SAT and Congressional internships, I don't think that they're modest in the slightest, nor was it luck. You definitely deserved to get into Penn -- your hard work is clear.

[MissBarbara]

haha thanks. i'm just trying to say that i definitely studied for my score (i took the time to make it happen, i'm not afraid to admit it) and okay, internship aside, i tried to be a leader in school clubs which i think really helped. people don't give school clubs enough credit. :-)

[asdfjkl1]

I have yet to hear. But I find it extremely odd that most people here never had a job. I mean, I work two jobs...and possibly getting a third. I always thought that work experience helped you in more ways than just time and money.

This is a personal question skewed towards those of you who didn't/don't have jobs in HS: How come you never worked?

[kyledavid80]

These students are too busy with other things. Do you think some of these students have any time for a job?

[asdfjkl1]

I have a full list of activities. Yet, I work two jobs. I mean, sometimes, you gotta suck it up for the cash. Earlier this year, I had a major work assignment due the night of a major school project. You just DO it. Either way, it's nice seeing your name on that paycheck (though I could live without FICA's name on it).

Honestly, I think you've had it easy if you've never worked a job...ever.

[Figgy]

Ya it is strange when people don't have jobs. It's always weird to find that out about people. You just wonder if they have any clue about the value of money or how lucky they are to never have had to work.

[asdfjkl1]

Both my best friends don't. I routinely tell them that money would be nice. And I even created a resume for one of them. I mean, I'm middle class but I definitely value hard-earned money. Scholarships are nice but I don't think that an essay should equal my paycheck (minus FICA) for the whole summer. There's something just so satisfying for knowing that it's YOUR money.

I wish people realized how lucky they are that they can focus on academic activities so much and go on fancy trips that cost like $2,000 for two weeks. That's more than my whole paycheck for the summer. Yes, I worked minimum wage. Now, it's A LITTLE over minumum wage. But, still...$8 p/h is still shoddy considering taxes.

Very soon, I'm getting a third job working nights retail. I'm probably gonna hate it but it's good money..in my pocket. lol.

-

I hate the score-fixation on here. I mean, I'm a person, not a number. And, I have so much more going for me than my GPA/SAT. I work two jobs, do ECs, volunteer and play a sport. Can that be captured by a 2400? Oh, and I have spunk. I took the ACT/SAT because I had to. But, I hate the idea of someone judging me off some number. People seem so suprised when people of lower scores get in before attempting to rationalize it with thoughts like "They're ____." How about the fact they come off as being an interesting person that a college would want to have in their class? Just a thought.

[catsushi]

I've never had a job. I'm kept busy with all my IB classes and club swimming. I just really don't need one at the moment. Experience is nice, but I'd prefer to swim hard in the pool or study hard in school or even go out for an occasional movie than flip burgers or something.

But for those of you who have a job, kudos to you! I really do envy people who don't have to ask mummy and daddy for cash when they want to go out.

As for listing my stats, I'll do that when I get the rest of the results from my other schools!

[asdfjkl1]

Well, the thing is that some of us (cough) prefer movies and whatever job to OCDing about every 99. I've been told I'm a very very rational person who doesn't get stressed about anything. I guess that's why I handle it so well. I mean, some people probably couldn't handle the combined stress. But, some of us can (and do).

And money is a beautiful thing. I highly reccomend getting a job this summer if you can't at the moment!

[MissBarbara]

i worked at officemax for 8 months (about 10-12 hours a week), $8/hr plus a trivial commission program. i didn't really do it for the money but i did like the experience (and all of its ups and downs)...

[MissBarbara]

and yes... paychecks are SO addicting.